Finland is the world leader in combined heat and power production (CHP). The CHP model of Helsinki Energy is also well-known internationally and a recognized way of producing energy in line with sustainable development.

The excess energy generated in electricity production is used in CHP for the production of district heating instead of being led to the sea as waste. The efficiency of the fuel's energy content is about 90 per cent. The operating efficiency at condensing power plants producing only electrical energy is, at best, in excess of 40 per cent.

"The energy efficiency is the best in the world. If the electricity and heat were to be produced separately, the fuel requirement would be some 40 per cent higher. We are sparing on costs and the environment. CHP is a good solution in terms of the environment," says Martti Hyvönen, the Environmental Director.

The carbon dioxide emissions by Helsinki Energy in 2005 were about 3.5 million tonnes i.e. a fifth down on the previous year. If CHP had not been used, they would have been about 2.7 million tonnes higher.

Air quality better

CHP is applied as a solution in cold climates, where the need for district heating is great. District heating is an environment-friendly solution for heating urban areas, because it eliminates the need for individual chimneys.

CHP was introduced in Helsinki far-sightedly in connection with district heating over 50 years ago. Combined production in urban areas saves an amount in energy annually that is the equivalent of the yearly heating requirement for 270,000 detached homes.

"CHP and district heating have had a considerable effect on the quality of Helsinki's air. In 1990 Helsinki Energy was awarded an international environmental medal by the UN for the development of district heating based on combined production and for the resolute work in improving the city's air," Hyvönen says.

"CHP is being used elsewhere in other countries such as Denmark and the United States. The EU also considers an increase in combined production to be important in terms of the climate."

Helsinki Energy's latest product, district cooling, has expanded CHP into triple generation. District cooling is produced in the same process with district heating by utilizing the excess district heating generated in summer in the production of cooling and sea water in winter.

"District cooling represents state-of-the-art energy technology and sustainable development in its production, distribution and use. District cooling eliminates noisy condensers in the roofs of houses and cooling compressors in the cellars, from which freon emissions into the air are also created," Hyvönen says.

The use of district cooling will increase enormously in office and shop premises where there is a need for cooling all round the year.

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The largest heat-pumping plant in the world with the most modern technology in the sector came on stream in the summer of 2006.